‘Roseanne’ returns in March

Q: I remember you writing about “Roseanne” coming back to television, and I thought it would have premiered by now. Do you have any more details? – Barbie Y., via email

A: The “Roseanne” reboot – which brings back pretty much all the series’ cast members, including Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert and both Beckys (!) – debuts Tuesday, March 27, on ABC for a nine-episode 10th season. In this iteration, Sarah Chalke (Becky No. 2) will play a new character named Andrea, a married woman who hires Becky (Lecy Goranson) to serve as her surrogate. “The Big Bang Theory” star Johnny Galecki also will return as David, but because of scheduling conflicts, he will appear in only one episode.

Roseanne Barr (ABC/Robert Trachtenberg photo)

An original cast member who won’t be returning is Becky’s husband, Mark Healy, who was played by Glenn Quinn; Glenn passed away in 2002 of a heroin overdose. His character’s memory will be honored in the new season: David (Mark’s brother) and Darla named their son Mark. The decision not to recast the role, along with the naming of David and Darla’s son in honor of Mark, points to the conclusion that the character of Mark also will be deceased.

Q: I just finished both seasons of “The Crown,” and I absolutely adore it! But I heard that for season three, they will be recasting most, if not all, of the main roles. Why? I love everyone on the show. – Connie F., Fort Myers, Florida

A: Netflix recently announced that Olivia Colman would be replacing Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in seasons three and four of the hit historical drama. And the most recent “unofficial” announcement is that Helena Bonham Carter will portray Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret. From the get-go, series creator Peter Morgan spoke of his intent to recast characters to better portray them as they age (instead of using age makeup and wigs, which I sometimes find distracting and off-putting). As of this writing, there has been no announcement as to who will take over the role of Prince Philip from Matt Smith.

READERS: In the age when all things old(ish) are new again, news comes that the award-winning cartoon series “Animaniacs” is set to return as the first Hulu original series for families, and I cannot even explain how excited I am. The Warner brothers, Yakko and Wakko, and the Warner sister, Dot, as well as wannabe world dominators Pinky and the Brain, are ready to enchant a new generation of cartoon lovers.

“Yakko, Wakko and Dot have been waiting impatiently inside the water tower, and now their hilarious brand of animated chaos will be unleashed – again! We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with Amblin Entertainment and Hulu for new episodes of ‘Animaniacs,’” said Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series. A premiere date has not yet been announced as production is still in the early stages.

Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803; or e-mail her at letters@cindyelavsky.com.